Best business credit cards for small and new businesses in 2025

Getting the right business credit card for small businesses can make a big difference early on. It helps cover essential expenses, smooth out cash flow, and start building your business’s credit profile. But approval can be tough when your business is still new and lacks financial history.

In this guide, we’ll go over how to choose a business credit card as a new business, compare leading options, and walk through the approval process. Whether you're just starting to build business credit or looking to simplify early expense tracking, this guide is built to help you avoid common missteps and find a card that actually fits your needs.

Why choosing the right business credit card matters for new businesses

A business credit card for new businesses is designed specifically for commercial use. These cards often include features like expense reporting and rewards tied to common business purchases, and may offer higher spending limits depending on your credit profile.

For small and growing businesses, the right credit card can help you:

• Separate personal and business spending
• Access capital for purchases like equipment, software, or advertising
• Build a business credit history that supports future financing
• Track expenses in one place with integrations to your accounting software

That said, many small businesses run into challenges when applying. Some cards require strong business credit, or a personal guarantee that blends personal and business liability. Others charge annual fees or offer rewards that only make sense at higher spend volumes.

That’s why finding the right credit card as a new business owner means looking at more than just the welcome offer or points system. You’ll want a card that fits your current spend patterns, minimizes unnecessary costs, and sets you up with the right infrastructure as your team grows.

Business credit card approval factors and requirements for new businesses

When you apply for a business credit card as a new business, issuers look at several key factors:

• Personal credit history: Most issuers require a minimum personal credit score—typically 670-700 for premium cards, or 580-650 for entry-level or secured cards. Your personal credit affects approval odds, your initial limit, and your interest rate.
• Business structure and age: Sole proprietors usually have a simpler process but more emphasis on personal credit. LLCs may need to provide operating agreements and EIN documentation, while corporations often face more documentation but may qualify for higher limits.
• Revenue and documentation: Most cards require proof of business income (tax returns, bank statements, or projections). Premium cards may require $50,000–$100,000 in annual revenue, but some starter cards accept minimal or projected revenue.
• Personal guarantee: Most cards require you to personally guarantee the debt, linking your personal credit to your business obligations. Late payments or defaults can affect both business and personal credit profiles.

Even if you're pre-revenue or very new, you still have options. Some issuers offer small business credit cards that consider your personal credit and income instead of requiring an established business history.

If your credit profile is limited, a secured business credit card may be a good starting point—it requires a refundable security deposit, typically equal to your credit limit. Fintech providers also offer business charge cards that evaluate cash flow instead of credit scores, making them a strong option for new businesses with active bank accounts but little or no credit background.

Best business credit cards for new businesses: Overall comparison

1. Ramp Business Credit Card

The Ramp Business Credit Card stands out as a strong option for new businesses with available capital but limited credit history. Unlike traditional cards, Ramp doesn’t require a personal credit check or personal guarantee. Instead, eligibility is based on your business bank account balance or connected sales platforms, like Stripe or Shopify, making it ideal for companies with at least $25,000 in the bank.

Ramp also functions as more than a credit card. It includes built-in spend controls, real-time reporting, and automation tools for receipt matching and expense approvals. It’s particularly useful for small businesses that want to control spending while preparing for growth.

Why the Ramp Business Credit Card works for small and new businesses:

• No credit check or personal guarantee required
• Flexible underwriting based on sales, cash balance, or connected platforms
• Credit limits based on cash flow, not credit score
• Unlimited virtual and physical cards with spend controls
• No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
• Access to Ramp’s full financial software suite: Expense management, AP automation, travel, and more
• Access to over $350,000 in partner rewards

2. American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

The American Express Blue Business Cash Card is a straightforward, no-annual-fee option that offers predictable rewards: 2% cash back on the first $50,000 in eligible purchases, then 1% after that. It also includes Expanded Buying Power, which lets you go over your credit limit when needed (based on payment history and usage).

Why this card works for small businesses:

• Easy-to-understand rewards structure
• No annual fee
• Flexible credit access through Expanded Buying Power
• Includes a welcome offer: $250 statement credit after spending $3,000 in 3 months
• Good for covering monthly expenses like software, office supplies, or services

3. Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

Chase’s Ink Business Cash Credit Card offers category-based rewards for small business spending. You’ll earn 5% cash back on select business categories on the first $25,000, and 2% back at gas stations and restaurants. This card also comes with no annual fee, making it a good fit for small businesses that want to maximize return on their most common operating expenses.

Why it works for small businesses:

• Up to $750 bonus cash back
• 5% and 2% cash back in combined categories tailored to typical business needs
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, 17.49%–25.49% variable after
• Tools to monitor, protect, and manage business spending
• Employee cards at no extra cost

4. Capital One Spark 1% Classic Credit Card

The Capital One Spark 1% Classic Credit Card is designed for small businesses with fair credit, making it a practical card if you’re focused on improving your credit profile while still needing access to flexible working capital. It offers 1% cash back on all purchases and includes helpful features like fraud coverage and free employee cards.

Why it works for new and small businesses:

• Open to applicants with fair credit
• 1% cash back on all purchases
• No annual fee
• Helps establish or rebuild business credit
• Includes basic protections and reporting tools
• Free employee cards

5. Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is a good stepping stone for new businesses with limited or no credit. This secured card requires a refundable security deposit between $49, $99, or $200. Cardholders are automatically considered for a higher credit line within 6 months and have a $0 fraud liability program if your card is lost or stolen.

Why it works for new businesses:

• Secured card designed to help build or establish business credit
• Automatic credit line reviews every 6 months
• $0 fraud protection program
• No foreign transaction fees
• No annual fee

Best business credit cards for small and new businesses by category

Here's a breakdown of card types that tend to work well for new businesses, along with which of the top five cards may fit best.

Cash back credit cards: Easy rewards for everyday spending

Cash back business cards are a popular choice for new businesses because they're straightforward. Whether you're buying office supplies, software, or meals, you’re getting a percentage back on every dollar spent.

If your business spends across multiple categories, the Ramp Business Credit Card is a great choice: it offers a flat cash back system, without the complexity of rotating categories or redemption hurdles. For category-based spenders, the Ink Business Cash Credit Card offers specific rates on office supplies, internet, and telecom purchases.

Good fit for:

• Businesses with routine monthly spend in diverse categories
• Owners looking for simplicity and automatic savings
• Teams that want to issue employee cards and track usage centrally

No-annual-fee business credit cards: Low cost, high utility

For small businesses focused on keeping overhead low, no-annual-fee credit cards can offer a strong balance of rewards and simplicity. They're especially useful when your monthly spend is modest (under $2,000), you're still getting your operations off the ground, or you're not ready to commit to a premium rewards program.

Cards like the American Express Blue Business Cash Card stand out in this category for offering solid flat-rate rewards (2% cash back on up to $50,000 per year) with no annual fee. These cards are also a great starting point if you're trying to build business credit without the pressure of recurring fees.

Good fit for:

• Businesses with lower, irregular monthly spend
• Founders avoiding long-term financial commitments
• Owners looking for predictable cash-back programs with few strings attached

Credit-building and flexible-limit cards: Best for limited credit history

Not every small business starts with a stellar credit file. For newer companies or those recovering from past financial issues, credit-building cards or flexible-limit charge cards can be key.

Ramp stands out in this category because it doesn't require a personal credit check or guarantee. Instead, it evaluates your business based on cash flow, revenue, or linked platforms like Stripe or Shopify.

Good fit for:

• New business owners without established credit
• Entrepreneurs seeking to separate personal and business finances
• Companies with strong cash flow but limited credit history

Best secured or low-barrier options for poor/no credit

If your credit is still in progress, secured business credit cards provide a reliable way to establish financial credibility. These cards require a security deposit that acts as your credit limit, helping you build payment history without taking on unnecessary risk.

The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card is a solid option for this use case. It does not offer rewards but helps build credit by reporting to credit bureaus. If you'd rather not choose a secured card, the Capital One Spark Classic (also featured earlier) offers a path to approval with lower credit scores and does provide 1% cash back.

Good fit for:

• Entrepreneurs rebuilding personal credit
• New business owners with no credit profile
• Businesses unable to qualify for traditional cards

How to apply for a business credit card as a new business

Start by strengthening both your personal and business profiles. Check your personal credit score, fix any errors, and make sure your business is properly registered with the right documentation in place. If you haven’t already, open a business bank account—it’s often a key part of the approval process. Then, research cards that match your credit profile, spending needs, and business structure.

Before you apply for a new business credit card, gather your documentation. Most issuers ask for your EIN or SSN, information documents (like articles of incorporation or an operating agreement), personal identification, business licenses (if applicable), and proof of address. You may also need to submit financial statements, revenue projections, or previous tax returns. Having these ready will help you move quickly through the process.

Once you’ve selected a card, complete the online application or visit a branch for hands-on support. You’ll be asked to provide business details, estimated revenue, and authorize a personal credit check. Decisions may come instantly or take several business days—especially if your business is brand new or requires additional verification.

To make this process easier to navigate, here’s a step-by-step summary:

Business credit card application checklist for new businesses

Timeline tip: Expect the full process to take 7–14 days from application to card delivery—though some online applications offer instant approval if your information is complete and verifiable.

Overlooked fees and terms: What new business owners need to know

Understanding the fine print can save you from costly surprises. From foreign transaction fees to personal guarantees, here’s what to watch for (and how to protect yourself).

Understanding different fee types

Some fees may seem minor on paper but can quickly eat into your cash flow, especially if you’re managing a tight budget or just starting to build business credit.

• Foreign transaction fees: These are typically \~3% and apply to purchases in non-USD currencies. If you work with international vendors or freelancers, even occasionally, these charges can add up fast.
• Balance transfer fees: These usually range from 3–5%. While a 0% APR promotion may help short-term cash flow, transferring $10,000 could cost $300–$500 upfront.
• Cash advance fees and high APRs: These are the most expensive ways to access funds. A $1,000 advance with a 5% fee and 25% APR could cost over $100 in just the first month.
• Late payment fees: Late fees can reach up to $49, and that’s before factoring in potential penalty APRs or credit score hits. For businesses establishing credit, on-time payments are essential.

How to minimize or negotiate card fees

You can’t eliminate every fee, but you can be smart about how you manage them:

• Choose cards that align with your actual spending habits: If you operate internationally, prioritize cards with no foreign transaction fees. If you carry a balance, skip premium rewards and focus on low interest rates.
• Set up automatic payments: Set this up to cover at least the minimum due. This avoids late fees, protects your credit, and saves time.
• If you’re charged a fee, call your issuer: Do this especially if it’s your first offense. Many will waive it if you have a solid payment history.
• If you’re not using all the card’s benefits: Ask about a retention offer. Some issuers will waive or reduce your annual fee to keep your account open.

Understanding personal guarantees

Most business credit cards for new businesses require a personal guarantee. This means you’re personally liable for the debt, even if you’ve registered as an LLC or corporation.

That can have real consequences:

• Missed payments or high utilization can hurt your personal credit score
• If your business can’t repay the balance, your personal assets could be at risk
• Personal liability can affect your ability to qualify for mortgages or personal loans

Before applying, always read the terms closely. If you want to avoid a personal guarantee, explore corporate cards from newer fintech issuers—but be aware that they often require significant revenue or capital to qualify. For most small business owners, accepting some personal liability is part of building credit in the early stages. Just make sure you know the trade-offs and have a plan to manage the risk.

Key takeaways: Business credit cards for new businesses

• The right business credit card for new businesses can help you manage early expenses, build credit, and access flexible working capital without relying on personal funds
• Look for cards with low fees, simple rewards, and approval criteria that match your current financial profile
• New businesses without strong credit history may benefit from cards with flexible underwriting, like those based on bank balance or cash flow
• Don’t overlook hidden costs like foreign transaction fees or personal guarantees. Always read the fine print
• As your business grows, choose a card that can scale with you, especially one that offers real-time controls, accounting integrations, and smart expense tracking

How Align ENTA switched to Ramp’s Business Credit Card and gained control and saved time

Before switching to Ramp, Align ENTA—a small healthcare group with multiple divisions—relied on fragmented systems to manage expenses and reimbursements. Each location used its own mix of credit cards, accounting software, and manual check-cutting, leading to inefficiencies and limited visibility.

With Ramp, Align ENTA consolidated spend, approvals, and reimbursements into a single platform—giving both the finance team and practice managers more control, clarity, and time. This was because Ramp provided them with:

• Real-time alerts and live transaction tracking helped the team catch fraudulent or mismanaged spending before it escalated
• Automated expense routing and virtual card management
• Built-in controls that made budgeting more consistent and reliable, especially as the organization shifted to a zero-based budget model

Ramp also replaced slow, manual reimbursements with a faster, more employee-friendly workflow.

“The practice managers love [Ramp],” says Greg Finn, Director of FP&A. “They like that they can instantaneously attach support at the time of transaction, they like that they can text back-and-forth with the automated system as part of the platform. We’ve gotten a lot of good feedback from users.”

Align ENTA now saves 5–15 hours a month on expense and reimbursement work, closes the books a full day faster, and operates with tighter financial controls across every division.

Get Ramp’s business credit card for small and new businesses

Whether you’re managing expenses for a growing healthcare group or just getting your business off the ground, Ramp gives you more than a card—it gives you time back.

With no credit checks, no personal guarantees, and built-in expense management tools, Ramp’s business credit card for small businesses helps you stay on top of spend from day one. Join thousands of the growing companies using Ramp to manage their finances.

Start saving time and money with Ramp.